Septuagesima Sunday Reflection

gesima,A Time of Reflection, Sacrifice, and Renewal
A Reflection for Septuagesima Sunday
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA, Mission St. Sergius & Bacchus
Holliston MA
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

February begins the countdown and beginning of the church season set aside to remind us of what Christ was willing to do for us and how we are doing, as followers of Christ, in living according to His instructions.
We are reminded during the weeks leading up to the official start of Lent on Ash Wednesday to begin our period of reflection and preparation by the titles of the Sundays leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday is intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation.
In the Catholic liturgy, the Alleluia ceases to be said during the liturgy, effective at First Vespers of Septuagesima Sunday, and is not sung again until Easter. Violet Vestments are worn, except on feast days, during the period from Septuagesima Sunday until Holy Thursday. The readings of the Divine office during this time are from the Books of Genesis which describe the Creation of the universe, the human race and the fall from grace of man by disobedience of God’s law, the sin of Cain and Abel and continue with the promises of redemption and the Messiah made to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. The Gospel Story for Septuagesima Sunday is that of the Prodigal son and is meant to remind us of the forgiving and infinite merciful way of God.

Usually during this week I try to spend time reflecting on the past year and how well I did in living up to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Was I kind and considerate of others, even those who were not so nice to me? Did I give back to God a portion of what he provided me with, sometimes called tithing, in time or financial resources? Did I care for the sick and needy? Did I discriminate against anyone or put anyone down? Did I cause anyone to become angry and if so, did I apologize and try to make amends? I ask myself how I can become a better person and how I can best serve God. Where I find weaknesses in my life or when I think of ways to improve myself, I write them down as something to put on my list of things I need to do.

Sexagesima” is Latin for “sixtieth”; this Sunday is so called because it is roughly sixty days from Easter. Sexagesima brings us a firm warning that as we work for Christ and His Kingdom, we must always be aware that any success we may see is not due to our own efforts, but to God’s direction and His Grace. This Sunday is a perfect time to reflect on where we are and why and how we got here and what part and for what reason God placed us here. During this week I ask if I am doing all that I can to be a true servant and disciple of Christ.

Quinquagesima Sunday marks the period of fifty days before Easter. It begins with the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, called Dominica in Quinquagesima or Esto Mihi from the beginning of the Introit of the Eucharistic Liturgy; it is a Sunday of the second class, and the Color for the vestments of the Mass is violet. In the past, for early Christians it was the beginning of fasting period, and is called “The days without Meat” by many nationalities. This is the Sunday that I usually have my list of things that I need to do to improve myself in living according to the teachings of Christ prepared and posted somewhere that I can see it every day.

This year Ash Wednesday begins on the 21st of the month and on this day, worshippers are blessed with ashes by the priest. The priest or minister marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes, in the shape of a cross, and the worshipper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown as a reminder of their mortality and sinfulness. The symbolism echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head signifying repentance for the sins one has committed (as related numerous times in the Scripture). The priest marks the forehead of the person with one of these three blessings: "Remember, man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." (Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, ET in pulverem reverteris.) From Genesis 3:19 or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Or "Repent, and hear the good news."
The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday and mixed with olive oil; as a fixative. Ash Wednesday is observed by both fasting and abstinence and is a day of contemplating one's transgressions. The ashes are not a Sacrament but a Sign or Sacramental. (A Sacramental is something that aids one’s devotion to God but is not a sacrament.) Sacramentals are commonly divided into six classes: prayer, anointing, eating, confession, giving, and blessings.
As the title of this reflection indicates this is a time for us to reflect on our past and how well we are doing in coming closer to God and on what we might have to change from our current way of life and to plan for making those changes. It is a time of Sacrifice, of giving up some of the comforts we are accustomed to, reflecting the sacrifice Christ offered up for us and also of the forty days and nights that Christ fasted in the desert.
It is a time of Renewal, a time to make our selves over so that we better reflect Christ in our day to day lives.
God placed us here to achieve the promise of everlasting life with Him and all the heavenly elect but we have to earn that by living our lives in accord with the way Christ instructed us. We need to adhere to what Christ Called the two great commandments “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and body and the second is like unto it, Love your neighbor as you love yourself” AMEN